Donations

The Barnard College Archives collects the papers and records of individuals, institutions, and organizations associated with Barnard College.

Collections in the Archives document the history of women’s education through the founding of Barnard College in 1889 to the present day. The collections in Barnard College Archives also document the social life of the College through scrapbooks, diaries, photographs and letters by students, faculty and administrators during their time at Barnard. These collections are frequented by a variety of researchers, ranging from students, faculty, academics and administrators to fiction and non-fiction authors, filmmakers, journalists, and genealogists. We receive well over a thousand research requests each year, serving both a local and global community.



What should you donate?


Alumnae


The Barnard College Archives maintains personal papers and collections created by individuals actively connected with the College. We accept personal papers, collections and single items from our alumnae.

Materials may include:

• Letters – correspondence written and received during your Barnard years
• Scrapbooks – may contain fliers, dance cards, snapshots and other memorabilia illustrating life at Barnard
• Diaries written during your college years
• Photographs of college life – activities, events and candid views of college life
• Biographical information – news clippings, announcements and other documentation of personal and professional achievements
• Student organization documentation – minute books, reports, photographs, posters and event announcements
• Class notes
• Theses or honors papers
• Manuscripts/Typescripts of published and unpublished books and articles
• Audio and video recordings of events and activities – performances, speeches and lectures held at Barnard
• Motion picture films – home movies of college life



Faculty


The Barnard College Archives accepts materials relating to all aspects of Barnard Faculty members' careers  including lecture materials, personal research, and correspondence regarding their field of study.

Materials may include:

• Biographical material – resumes, vitae, bibliographies, and newspaper clippings
• Correspondence with:
  • college administrators, colleagues, publishers, or students
  • personal letters to/from friends or relatives
• Diaries, notebooks, or appointment calendars
• Class lecture notes, syllabi, slides, and examinations
• Publications, reviews, speeches, articles, and honors
• Research files


Student Organizations  


The Barnard College alumnae and students can greatly enhance the archival collections by donating materials related to the College's student organizations. Documentation of student organizations help to preserve the history of student activities, enhancing researchers' understanding of students' changing academic and social interests over the years.


Materials may include:

• Articles of Incorporation and By-laws
• Newspaper/Magazine clippings of club activities
• Minute books
• Posters, newsletters, and event announcements
• Photographs of activities
• Audio and video recordings of events and activities—performances, speeches, and lectures held at Barnard
• Club and Student Organization publications


Publications


The Barnard College Archives holds a collection of administrative and student publications.  Please help the Archives document Barnard's history by sending copies of Barnard-related publications to the College Archives.

Rare Items and Special Collections


The College is pleased to receive contributions of certain materials to its library and archives, particularly rare items and special collections. The acceptance of any and all contributions to the Archives falls under the Barnard College Library and Archives Mission and Collection Policy and the purview of the Dean of the Library and Academic Information Services. Contributions of important materials will be appropriately documented.

The Dean of the Library and Academic Information Services will also make determinations concerning individual items within a body of donated materials and the relevance of donated material to the Library's collection. The Library reserves the right to determine the disposition of donated materials, and this right is made clear to the donor. Restrictions placed by the donor on the disposition of the donated materials may affect the Library's ability to accept them. Materials not added to the collection will likely be sold to a dealer or disposed of in any other way the Dean may deem appropriate.

Donors are encouraged to contact the Archives regarding donations of collections and single items. We are happy to work with the donor to determine what records or documents within their collection have historical value.

Please contact the Archives to discuss donations:
E-mail: archives@barnard.edu
Telephone: 212-854-4079

Barnard College Archives

19 Lehman Hall

3009 Broadway

New York, NY 10027-6598